How can the results of cooperation projects continue to shape mountain governance after project funding ends? This question was at the heart of the CENTRAL MOUNTAINS policy workshop held in Vienna, bringing together representatives of the Carpathian Convention, the Alpine Convention, the Interreg Central Europe Joint Secretariat, and the project partnership.
The event represented the final stage of the project’s policy dialogue, moving beyond the presentation of results towards discussing how they can be integrated into long-term governance frameworks for mountain regions across Central Europe.
During the workshop, project partners presented the main outcomes developed throughout the project, including the Alpine-Carpathian Joint Strategy, the Alpine-Carpathian Participation Toolbox, governance models for long-term cooperation, cross-border cooperation structures and digital solutions supporting Cross-Border Functional Areas. These outputs were discussed not as standalone project deliverables, but as practical instruments that can continue supporting policymakers, regional authorities and stakeholder networks after the project’s completion.
From project results to long-term governance
Discussions confirmed that many of the challenges faced by mountain regions—including climate change, demographic change, sustainable tourism, biodiversity protection and cross-border cooperation—cannot be addressed through isolated projects alone. Instead, they require permanent governance structures, strong institutional cooperation and active involvement of local communities.
Representatives of the Alpine and Carpathian Conventions welcomed the project’s practical approach and highlighted the potential of its tools to support future cooperation within Convention activities and across their member countries.
Key messages for future policy
The dialogue identified several priorities for strengthening mountain governance beyond the lifetime of the project:
- establishing regular exchange platforms between Alpine and Carpathian stakeholders to maintain long-term cooperation;
- promoting knowledge exchange, peer learning and the transfer of proven governance solutions between mountain regions;
- integrating project-developed governance tools into existing Convention activities and policy frameworks;
- strengthening cross-border governance structures capable of continuing cooperation after project funding ends;
- ensuring long-term visibility, dissemination and practical uptake of project results by regional and national authorities;
- supporting meaningful participation of citizens, young people and civil society organisations through dedicated governance mechanisms, capacity-building and accessible funding opportunities.
Supporting the future of mountain governance
An interactive consultation with representatives of both Conventions also provided valuable feedback for the project’s final outputs. Participants identified the Alpine-Carpathian Participation Toolbox, Cross-Border Working Teams for Sustainable Tourism, and Cross-Border Functional Areas among the most relevant solutions for future implementation. They also stressed that future cooperation should continue to focus on knowledge exchange, pilot actions and capacity building as the most effective ways to strengthen governance across mountain regions.
The recommendations collected during the workshop contributed directly to the final refinement of the Alpine-Carpathian Joint Strategy and informed the project’s Policy Recommendations, ensuring that the experience gained through CENTRAL MOUNTAINS can continue supporting governance and cooperation well beyond the project’s lifetime.